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It isn't often a player goes from second string to second-team all-league during one season, but that's what Kalamazoo College senior quarterback Jordan Tallman accomplished in 2006.

Taking over after three-year starter Tim Kaselitz suffered a season-ending elbow injury in the opener, Tallman passed for 1,994 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging almost 222 yards per game.

Although pleased with the personal opportunity, the Manchester native was less-than-thrilled with the team's finish. The Hornets went 2-7 overall and 2-5 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, tying for sixth place in the eight-team league.

"Last year, I had a ton of good attention, but to play well for yourself doesn't really mean anything (without winning)," Tallman said. "You could throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns, but if you don't win a game, it doesn't matter. A championship is what counts.

"You don't get a ring with an engraving that says, 'I threw for 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns.' (And even if you did), so what?"

That's the type of attitude third-year K-College coach Terrance Brooks likes to see.
"Absolutely not," Brooks said when asked if the coaching staff would be satisfied with similar production from Tallman this season. "He had a pretty good year, but not a great year. We expect a lot more. He needed to get a little stronger (during the offseason) and we feel he's gotten a lot more athletic."

Tallman already was athletic enough to run for nearly 25 yards a game last year. That kind of mobility will be vital this season, when the Hornets must replace three offensive-line starters.

The sum of Tallman's strengths gives Brooks reason to be optimistic about the quarterback's chances of an even better performance this season.

"He has the potential to be the top (quarterback) in the league. He has the intangibles; the arm, the legs, the leadership and the smarts. That's the biggest thing with him. He knows he can get the job done."

Tallman steadily improved last season. The highlight came against Wisconsin Lutheran, when he was 30-of-47 passing for 294 yards, four TDs and no interceptions in a 31-19 homecoming victory. That earned him MIAA Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Winning the award was a big moment for a guy who had switched positions multiple times his first two years in Kalamazoo.

"My freshman year, I didn't play one play. I think I was the only kid who didn't," said Tallman. "Sophomore year I was third string, so I said, 'What about switching positions?' So I moved to tight end. By the end of the year, we'd had so many injuries, I was playing tackle in practice. I was the emergency tackle.

"So basically, I've come full circle."

Tallman figured to serve as Kaselitz's understudy last season.

"I got the opportunity to play and showcase my talents. I was definitely wide-eyed ... but I just went with it," Tallman said.

Kalamazoo assistant coach Eric Soulier said it's been a joy to watch Tallman's progress.
"We were pleasantly surprised because he hadn't had a whole lot of reps (at quarterback)," Soulier said. "The first game and a half (after Tallman took over) was a little shaky, but he put us into position to win both of those games.

"After that, he started to come into his own and his confidence was building up. You could see him making the plays and putting us in position to win some games. He was just growing by leaps and bounds. It couldn't have happened to a better kid than Jordan."

Tallman stayed in Kalamazoo this summer to work with teammates in preparation for the season, but suffered a huge personal setback when his mother, Leigh, died last month at age 58. Tallman said losing the person he went to for support and advice prompted him to examine his own life.

"I'm trying to get a grasp on what I want to do (after college). Do I really want to go into an office?" said Tallman, an economics major. "My mom was a teacher and I feel like I want to give back. After the season I plan on getting more involved with the community.

"My mom gave back to the kids and lived her life with love. She gave back to everyone. Of course, I can do that outside my career, but it's a fine line finding that one thing you want to do. It's the biggest question ever."

A smaller question, but one that Tallman won't shy away from, is can the Hornets offense be effective in the MIAA this season?

"Oh, of course," Tallman said without hesitation. "We just need to stay healthy."